Very Good
#500 of 2,648 schools in NC
Top 19% in state
Polk Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Polk County Schools
2141 South NC9 Hwy, Mill Spring, NC 28756
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
North Carolina schools
#500 of 2,648
In Mill Spring
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#3 of 7
Polk County Schools
School environment
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Polk Central Elementary School
Elementary School in Mill Spring · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Polk County Middle School
2.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Polk County Early College
3.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Polk Central Elementary School
Polk Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mill Spring, NC, part of Polk County Schools. Polk Central Elementary School serves approximately 382 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Polk Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranks #500 of 2,648 schools in NC.
Structured state assessment records for Polk Central Elementary School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.9 · Very Good
- District avg 7.8
- NC avg 6.4
What Parents Should Know
Polk Central Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Polk Central Elementary School — Students at Polk Central Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores NC NC (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from NC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.3/10.
How Polk Central Elementary School Compares
See how Polk Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2141 South NC9 Hwy, Mill Spring, NC 28756
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polk Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rutherfordton Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Rutherfordton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Chesnee), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Tryon Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Tryon), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mill Spring, see our Mill Spring schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Polk County Middle School Mill Spring | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Polk County Early College Columbus | 3.6 mi | 9.6 |
| Polk County High School Columbus | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Sunny View Elementary School Mill Spring | 6.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Landrum Middle Landrum | 8.1 mi | 5.5 |
| O. P. Earle Elementary Landrum | 8.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Lake Lure Classical Academy Lake Lure | 9.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Tryon Elementary School Tryon | 8.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Landrum High Campobello | 10.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Rutherfordton Elementary School Rutherfordton | 9.3 mi | 8.3 |
| New Prospect Elementary Inman | 12.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Campobello-Gramling School Campobello | 12.9 mi | 6.9 |
| R-S Middle School Rutherfordton | 11.5 mi | 6.8 |
| PINE RIDGE MENNONITE SCHOOL Rutherfordton | 12.7 mi | — |
| R-S Central High School Rutherfordton | 12.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary Chesnee | 12.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Spindale Elementary School Spindale | 12.0 mi | 5.3 |
| WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Spindale | 12.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Pinnacle Elementary School Rutherfordton | 14.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Rutherford Early College High School Spindale | 12.5 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 28756 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,112
Median Home Value
$275,000
Median Rent
$662/mo
Population
4,468
College Educated
18.9%
Homeownership
79.7%
Avg Commute
35.1 min
Poverty Rate
16.5%
Median Age
46
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brooks Global Elementary Greensboro, NC | 7.9 |
| Carthage Elementary Carthage, NC | 7.9 |
| Coltrane-Webb Elementary Concord, NC | 7.9 |
| E K Powe Elementary Durham, NC | 7.9 |
| Eastover-Central Elementary Eastover, NC | 7.9 |
| Fremont STARS Elementary Fremont, NC | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polk Central Elementary School
What grades does Polk Central Elementary School serve?
Polk Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Polk Central Elementary School?
Polk Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 382 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polk Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Polk Central Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polk Central Elementary School rank in NC?
Polk Central Elementary School ranks #500 of 2,648 schools in NC.
What is Polk Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polk Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Polk Central Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Polk Central Elementary School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Polk Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Polk Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polk Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Polk Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polk Central Elementary School?
99.2% of students at Polk Central Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 382
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.9%
- Phone
- (828) 894-8233
Resources & Links
District
Polk County Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,156
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,041
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
Other Schools in This District
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